HC Deb 13 April 1970 vol 799 cc1000-1
9. Mrs Knight

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now consider introducing a scheme whereby elderly persons living alone may be assisted with the installation cost of a telephone.

Mr. O'Malley

Help is already given to supplementary pensioners who are unable to pay for a telephone from their own resources when the Supplementary Benefits Commission is satisfied that one is essential. That is because the pensioner is living alone and, because he must rely entirely on the telephone to ask friends and relatives for help, would be dangerously isolated without one.

Mrs. Knight

Will the Minister make this principle far better known? For many people the telephone is a lifeline, and with the new increased charges coming along many of them will have to have their telephones removed unless something is done.

Mr. O'Malley

I agree with the hon. Lady that where a telephone is essential for people in this situation everything should be done to help them. In fact, the Supplementary Benefits Commission is prepared to look very sympathetically at anyone in this situation, and will meet the new telephone charges where it is appropriate to do so.

Mr. Winnick

Since the Minister's right hon. Friend was responsible for the rate rebate scheme, will not he seriously consider a wider system of assistance for those elderly people on small incomes who need a telephone? Why not have a telephone rebate scheme arising from the latest increase?

Mr. O'Malley

The General policy of the Government is to provide improved and increased cash benefits for people so that they shall be able to exercise their own choice and use their discretion as to the kind of services they need.

Mr. Dean

Will the Minister consider particularly the problems of disabled people for whom these increased telephone charges would mean real difficulty? The telephone is often their great link with the outside world, and those who are just above the supplementary benefits level may find the increase hard to bear.

Mr. O'Malley

A retirement pensioner who does not qualify for supplementary benefit may be able to receive help in relation to installation charges if a telephone is considered essential and if his resources are not sufficient. As for the general point, Section 45 of the Health Service and Public Health Act, which comes into force on 1st September, gives local authorities general powers of help for the elderly. I shall be issuing guidance on this matter in the near future.